A recent analysis by Dartmouth College has revealed that the decision to go test-optional in college admissions has inadvertently lowered the chances of less-advantaged and first-generation college-going applicants. The findings suggest that by not submitting standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT, these students may be at a disadvantage compared to higher-income applicants who can still opt to submit their scores. Critics argue that standardized tests, despite their perceived biases, offer a less biased tool compared to other subjective measures such as grades, essays, and teacher evaluations, which can be more easily influenced by wealthier students. Dartmouth's President has recognized the value of standardized tests in identifying talented students from less-resourced backgrounds, supporting their use to facilitate social mobility.
The SAT is a pathway to more college diversity, not less: "While well-off kids figure out how to game subjective measures such as grades, essays, and teacher evaluations, other students’ talents may be better revealed by standardized tests." https://t.co/29Kc7QR4i8 @GlobeOpinion
I applaud @dartmouth for embracing standardized tests in a thoughtful manner not to impede social mobility, but precisely to facilitate it. From the President: "In particular, SAT/ACTs can be especially helpful in identifying students from less-resourced backgrounds who would…
Good. Biased as the SAT might be, it is the single least biased tool an underprivileged student has to show what they’ve got to offer. And they don’t even know they should be submitting their scores because the scores are actually good! https://t.co/1BF8hHV2YS
Progressives claim the SAT is racist, but requiring students to submit their standardized-test scores helps to ensure a more colorblind admissions process. https://t.co/weMuOTgc2H via Dave Seminara
When you take away the SAT/ACT, you make the selection process even more biased for higher-income applicants. When you make it optional, you discourage lower-income students from even taking a chance on the SAT/ACT. https://t.co/RGmFwAqOCk
“High-achieving less-advantaged and U.S. first-generation college-going applicants lowered their Dartmouth admissions probabilities by opting not to submit a score.” Dartmouth College found that going test-optional for admissions hurt the chances of less-advantaged applicants: https://t.co/VNz5lm0fDe